How to Say “You’re Welcome” in Sign Language

Sign Language is regarded as a boon to humanity. The wonders it did, does, and will continue to do to the specially-abled community cannot be measured by anything. When a mute/deaf/blind person is finally able to express their feelings, it is like the heavens have answered their prayers.

The creation of Sign Language made it possible to retrieve so many unshared and unspoken thoughts which are powerful enough to bring changes and progressions to the world. Because even specially-abled people have feelings, thoughts, strong opinions, and ideas. Just like they need us, we also need them.

Sign Language slightly differs in different places. A single sentence may be demonstrated in a slightly different way somewhere else. But that does not mean it cannot be understood; it is easy to learn and easy to comprehend. The sentence “You are welcome” can be expressed in so many ways.

Numerous Ways That Express “You Are Welcome”

Just like the world speaks diverse languages, there are small differences in sign language as well. When someone says “Thank you” in that language, know in which place you are so that you can say it back in the language they are following.

1. You Are Welcome in American Sign Language (ASL)

ASL is popularly used in the United States and Canada. When you want to respond to someone’s gratitude, take your non-dominant hand with your palm facing upwards and also, with your fingers partially spread. Now the next step is to open the palms of your dominant hand and face it downwards.

The final step is to make the palms of your dominant hand and non-dominant hand touch each other gently, and then move your dominant hand outward and forward slowly. When you are doing this sign, you need to give a good facial expression and make eye contact with the person you are communicating with.

2. You Are Welcome in British Sign Language (BSL)

In BSL, the line is expressed in a somewhat similar manner. It can be initiated with your hand open and fingers pointing upward, followed by closing your hand into a fist with your thumb resting on top of your fingers.

While doing this, bring your hands down towards your body and end with your hand open and fingers pointing downward. If done in the best expression, the communication may turn out to be awesome and engaging.

3. You Are Welcome in Australian Sign Language

In Auslan, the very line is expressed in a slightly different way. What you do is, make the palms of both your hands face up and start slightly rotating your hands inward. After that, you move your hands in a circular motion towards your chest while crossing your wrists in front of you.

The next and final step is to separate your hands and move them outward again. It’s a beautiful way of saying ‘it’s fine’ or ‘it’s okay’ to someone who does not understand in the regular way.

4. You Are Welcome in Japanese Sign Language (JSL)

JSL is no less than the other sign languages. It is clear and comprehensive enough for a specially-abled person to communicate. In the Japanese version, you open your dominant hand with its palm facing upward, and on top of it, you place your non-dominant palm. And after that, slowly move your hands downward and twist your hands so that your dominant hand ends up facing down. In Japanese, when you twist your hands like this, it conveys politeness.

Japan is known for setting and following all the good examples in every aspect. So even in sign language, some tiny, good gestures that seem loving and appreciated are added.

5. You Are Welcome in French Sign Language (LSF)

This type of sign language is prevalent in France and French-speaking areas, and it has its own vocabulary and grammar. Here also, you use your dominant hand by keeping it in front of your chest with the palm facing downward.

The next step is to move your hand outwards and slightly downwards while extending your arm. Express it with full passion and love so that the receiver feels heard, understood, and appreciated.

6. You Are Welcome in Chinese Sign Language (CSL)

CSL is used among the Chinese who are disabled and want to communicate. Here in the Chinese version, when you want to say “You are welcome,” it is expressed by wiggling the fingertip of one hand while holding the palm upward. It is simple and easy to learn. When you express it, make good eye contact with the person and show your hand gestures so that you do not look impolite.

One fact about CSL is that it encompasses several different sign languages used in China.

Sign Language and Its Wonders

• After the creation of this wonderful form of language, the windows to so many silent minds were open. The people who the world thought were ordinary and had no voice turned out to be just the opposite and proved everyone wrong. The motivational speeches given by the specially abled through the prestigious sign language are strong enough to touch and inspire people.
• A famous personality that can be mentioned as an example is Helen Keller, an American writer, political activist, and lecturer. But who even needs an introduction about her? Despite her disability (she was blind and deaf), with the help of the braille system and sign language, Helen Keller became a renowned person in the world. She also managed to write many books in her lifetime. If there was no sign language, we would never know about the things that are going on inside the heads of the disabled. We would never know of all the wonderful ideas and opinions. We would also never know the fact that they are no less than us.
• With the internet easily made accessible today, it has become easier and less time-consuming to learn sign language. One can just learn from their smartphone free of cost. Anyone can learn it, because it is important to communicate with the disabled and know what they want to say, what they want, and what they want to do.
• Today, it is delightful to know that sign language is being accepted everywhere with open arms. Even in some movies, we see how they cast disabled actors or actors who play disabled people just so sign language is used and popularised. This way, people learn about this life-changing language, and it makes them want to learn it.

Conclusion

It is really amazing to learn the fact that sign language covers almost everything we want to say. Even though it slightly differs from place to place, it is understandable. Just the sentence “You are welcome” itself can be said in many different ways. Today, it has become so crucial to give emphasis on this language as it builds bridges and brings two worlds together for good.

It’s an obvious thing that sign language is taken seriously because each country has a version of its own, although similar. Some extra gestures are added in some countries to indicate politeness. Lastly, it seems like the world is in good hands because of its appreciation of the language and how it is taking measures to contribute to its recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Sign Languages Are There in The World?

Nobody has the exact answer to this because every country/region has its own version of the language. According to the data of Ethnologue, there are 142, but it is believed to be more than that.

Are There Different Sign Languages Around the World?

Yes. There are many different sign languages around the world. The languages of the different countries slightly differ.

Is This Hard to Learn Sign Language?

Initially, it may seem a little complex and hard to learn, but when taught by qualified teachers, the learning process becomes interesting and easy.